‘Oysters are like Marmite – you’ll either love them or hate them,’ point out the canny folk at Alberta Holiday Park near Whitstable, a town that’s home to the famous annual oyster festival and where the pearly critters have been harvested since Roman times. They also point out that you don’t have to try them if you don’t want to, but we think watching children tentatively try oysters for the first time is one of the best (i.e. most amusing) culinary experiences you'll ever have.

Based in the village of Seasalter near the oyster haven, Alberta Holiday Park is awash with all things watery: it’s set virtually on Seasalter beach and has a heated outdoor pool – with a safe Splash Zone so that tiddlers don’t get squished. The kids can also dry off in the play area or go loopy with the activities and events at the kids’ club, while there are antics for all ages in the entertainment club.

As this is a Park Holidays site, there are top-notch facilities and amenities: a clubhouse with free wifi and Sky TV, a family diner and takeaway, and a shop for last-minute essentials. The smartly equipped caravans sleep up to six or eight people and all come with gas, electricity, linen and entertainment passes included in the price. And then there’s the seafood, family days out, history and heritage all along this part of Kent – it’s almost like the world’s your oyster…

Food! Apart from the seafood and other delicacies in Whitstable, foodies can wander along to the village of Seasalter for some top local nosh at The Sportsman pub, the first eatery in the area to win a Michelin star (Seasalter’s also the spot where you might catch a glimpse of Harry Hill or Janet Street-Porter, who both have holiday homes here).

To land your own slippery catch, sea angling and fishing competitions are a stroll away at the seaside village of Herne Bay. This is also the launching pad to work up an appetite with some watersports : try Zapcat racing or jet skiing here, or stick to Whitstable for yachting, water skiing, surfing and sailing. The Whitstable Museum and Art Gallery covers the history of water-based heritage along this stretch of Kent coast – including the oyster trade, natch.

For more munching, a little way inland from Alberta Holiday Park is Brogdale Farm, home of the National Fruit Collection and the biggest collection of fruit plants and trees in the world; there are regular festivals and tasting days as well as orchard tours and courses. Or combine a farm visit with rides, an animal village and more at the Hop Farm Family Park at Paddock’s Wood.

The heritage city of Canterbury, where Chaucer’s pilgrims rested their weary feet, is five miles from Alberta and has England’s oldest cathedral as well as a city wall built in Roman times; there’s also the Marlowe Theatre, named after Elizabethan playwright Kit who was born in the city. History heads can also canter to the cathedral and castle in the historic Kent town of Rochester, visit (and take a balloon flight from) Edward I’s former favourite home Leeds Castle, or amble around one of the several National Trust sites in the county: Knole, near Sevenoaks, was the hunting ground of Henry VIII and the inspiration for Virginia Woolfe’s Elizabethan romance Orlando.

Other day trips from Alberta include a gentle steam along the fourteen miles of the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway, biking along the Crab and Winkle Way between Whitstable and Canterbury, going ape at Port Lympne Wild Animal Park or Howletts Wild Animal Park, and taking the ferry to Calais to la belle France.

Directions

* Take the M2 (signposted M2 Dover, Channel Tunnel, Canterbury, Chatham) * Pass the Medway Service Area (MOTO) and keep in the right-hand lane, then continue forward onto Thanet Way - A299 (signposted Margate, Ramsgate) * Branch left (signposted Whitstable), A2990 * Turn left onto Church Lane, bear left onto Faversham Road and continue until you arrive at Alberta, Seasalter

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Permitted arrival/departure time

On-site accommodation

Arrive:

4 p.m. –

11 p.m.

Depart:

10 a.m.

For arrivals after 6pm please contact the park at the time who will advise where keys can be collected.

Cancellation policy

No refunds within 1 week of arrival date.

Cancellation by you:

Should you need to cancel your booking, you must advise us using the telephone number in your confirmation email and then confirm this cancellation in writing to us, by post, fax, or email quoting your booking reference number. Your cancellation will only be effective as at the date we receive your written confirmation. Our cancellation charges are those detailed below unless you have taken out our ‘Cancellation Protection Plan’ (available when paying your balance):

If you need to cut short your holiday after it has commenced, we regret that we are unable to refund any monies paid.

Cancellation by us:

In exceptional circumstances, we may have to cancel or change some aspects of your booking. If we do so, we will tell you as soon as possible prior to your holiday date and you may choose to either:

a) Accept the changes offered by usb) Receive a full refundc) Accept an alternative holiday with us at the same price

We do not pay compensation in circumstances where we have to cancel your booking including those arising from Force Majeure. Force Majeure means circumstances beyond our control including (but not limited to) industrial disputes, natural disasters, fire, technical problems, bad weather and acts of government.

Please note that your deposit is paid to Pitchup.com and is non-refundable.

Payment of balance

A 15% non-refundable deposit is payable now.
Alberta Holiday Park will debit the balance from your card 30 days
before arrival, or if the arrival date is sooner than 30 days
before arrival then the balance will be taken immediately.

If payment is not made by the due date then we will assume that your holiday has been cancelled and we may resell the holiday to another customer. We reserve the right to pass on any costs or bank charges we incur if we have to re-submit a cheque for payment or a cheque is declined for non payment.
If you need to contact Park Holidays UK please allow up to 24 hours for your booking confirmation to come through.
An administration fee of 2% will be applied to all balance payments made by credit card (minimum charge £1.00). This charge will not exceed £5.00 per transaction. There is no charge for debit card payments.

Contact Alberta Holiday Park

Terms and conditions

Park Holidays UK Limited is the operating company of the holiday parks shown on the website. References to ‘the Company’, ‘we’, ‘us’ and ‘our’ in these terms and conditions are to this company. References to ‘you’ in these terms and conditions are to you, as the person making this booking and, where applicable, to every member of your party.

2. These terms and conditions

These terms and conditions and those relating to the ‘Cancellation Protection Plan’ (if applicable) will be incorporated into your booking when we have received full or part payment from you. We are unable to accept bookings from anyone under the age of 18.

3. Alterations to your booking

Your booking shall be in accordance with the details confirmed at the time of booking. Your booking shall be non-transferable and non-alterable within 30 days of your holiday start date. You may make alterations to your booking up to 30 days before your holiday start date.

You may change your accommodation or park to another within the same calendar year subject to availability and payment of a £20 administration fee and any outstanding difference in price. If you wish us to make an alteration to your booking we will use reasonable endeavours to accommodate your request but no guarantee can be given.

4. Our service to you

We do all that we can to ensure you enjoy your holiday. However, occasionally, problems occur and if they do or you have any concerns about your holiday when staying with us please tell the Park Reception immediately and we will respond to you as soon as possible.

We will not be responsible for any matter which you knew about during your stay but did not tell us about during your stay. If any matter is not resolved during your stay you must notify us in writing of this as soon as possible (and in any event within 21 days of the end of your holiday) as otherwise we will not be able to consider the matter further.

5. Cancellation by you

Should you need to cancel your booking you must advise us by telephone and then confirm this cancellation in writing to us by post, fax, or by email quoting your booking reference number. Your cancellation will only be effective as at the date we receive your written confirmation.

Our cancellation charges are those detailed below

More than 30 days loss of deposit

30 - 22 days 50%

21 -15 days 60%

14 - 8 days 80%

7 days or under 100%

If you need to cut short your holiday after it has commenced, we regret that we are unable to refund any monies paid.

6. Cancellation or changes by us

In exceptional circumstances, we may have to cancel or change some aspects of your booking. If we do so, we wil l tell you as soon as possible prior to your holiday date and you may choose to either:

a) Accept the changes offered by us

b) Receive a full refund

c) Accept an alternative holiday with us at the same price.

We do not pay compensation in circumstances where we have to cancel your booking including those arising from Force Majeure. Force Majeure means circumstances beyond our control including (but not limited to) industrial disputes, natural disasters, fire, technical problems, bad weather and acts of government.

7. Paying for your holiday

Any balance due shall be paid not less than 30 days before your holiday start date, or within 72 hours if made within 30 days.

If payment is not made by this date then we will assume that your holiday has been cancelled and we may re-sell the holiday to another customer.

We reserve the right to pass on any costs or bank charges we incur if we have to resubmit a cheque for payment or a cheque is declined for non-payment.

An administration fee of 2% will be applied to all payments made by credit card (minimum charge £1). This charge will not exceed £5 per transaction. There is no charge for debit card payments.

8. Prices

All prices are current at the time of printing and we guarantee that the price of your holiday will be as agreed and shown on your holiday booking confirmation. However we reserve the right to alter or amend our brochure prices so long as we notify you of any difference before you book. All prices shown are inclusive of VAT at the prevailing rate at the time of payment.

Certain accommodation units are sublet on behalf of the owners who are not registered for VAT. In this case the total cost of your holiday is not subject to VAT, but a further handling fee, so the price for the holiday will remain the same.

9. Special offers and discounts

Not applicable to Pitchup.com

10. Arrival and departure times

Check-in and key collection will be open from 4pm on your date of arrival (unless you have booked Gold or Platinum accommodation, which will be available from 2pm). If you believe you may arrive after 6pm on your date of arrival then you must inform us. If you do not inform us and/or your intended holiday home is not occupied by 9am on the day after your arrival date we will treat your booking as cancelled and re-let the holiday home to another customer.

No refund will be paid in such instance. You are required to depart your holiday home by 10am on your departure date.

11. Standard of behaviour on our parks

Our parks are used primarily by families and we would ask that the behaviour of you and your party reflects this fact. Noisy, offensive or inappropriate behaviour or actions likely to cause harm to any other guest, members of our staff or an yone’s property at the holiday park will not be tolerated and we reserve the right to refuse entry to and/or eject any person who, in the reasonable opinion of the management of the park, does not comply with these standards of behaviour.

No refunds will be issued in these circumstances. If, in the reasonable opinion of the management of the park, we believe that you or a member of your party may not comply with the above, on entry to the park, we reserve the right to refuse entry or not to hand over accommodation to any person or groups of persons at our discretion. In such cases a full refund will be issued to the lead name on the booking.

All children must be properly supervised by parents or guardians throughout your holiday, including all park organised activities. We reserve the right to deny access to our facilities and/or any children’s activities if, in the reasonable opinion of the management of the park, we believe that any child or child ren will be unduly disruptive.

12. Number of your party

The total number in your party (including children and babies) must not exceed the maximum capacity of the holiday home as advertised. In most cases this will be no more than six or eight depending on the size of the caravan concerned. In the event that these numbers are exceeded, we reserve the right to exclude or refuse entry to any or all members of your party from the holiday park.

We will not accept bookings where half or more of the party is aged between 17 and 25. We have the right to refuse your booking or cancel after bookings have been checked and/or we reserve the right to refuse entry or not to hand over accommodation to any person or groups of persons at our discretion.

13. Single-sex parties

We do not accept bookings from large all-male or all-female parties and have the right to cancel any online booking that breaches our terms upon checking before the holiday arrival date and/or we reserve the right to refuse entry or not to hand over accommodation to any person or groups of persons at our discretion.

14. Guests with specific needs

Many of our holiday homes offer specific accommodation suitable for holidaymakers with wheelchairs or who may have mobility difficulties.

However certain accommodation and locations may not be suitable. If your party includes someone with special needs please let us know your specific requirements at the time of booking.

15. Allergies

If any member of your party has an allergy to pets we would strongly recommend that you do not book accommodation which accepts pets. We cannot guarantee that pets have never occupied any of our accommodation.

16. Smoking policy

It is illegal to smoke inside enclosed public buildings and you and other members of your party are requested to smoke only in those areas which have been clear ly designated as such. Smoking is also forbidden in all of our holiday accommodation; however we cannot guarantee that any accommodation has been smoke free.

17. Pets

Most dogs are welcome at our parks and in specific holiday homes with a maximum of two dogs per booking. Some breeds of dog including those listed in the Dangerous Dog Act 1991 are not allowed.

Please provide us with the details of the breed of your dog when you book with us.

There is a charge of £40 per week and £25 per short break per pet. Assistance dogs for disabled guests are exempt from these requirements and charges. Pets must be kept on a lead at all times and you must clean up after your pet. Pets (other than assistance dogs) are not allowed in any of our park facilities or play areas.

Pets should not be left unattended in holiday homes or elsewhere on the park and must not be allowed on bedding or seating. If we reasonably believe your pet is ca using a nuisance on the holiday park or causing damage to the holiday home you will be required to remove it from the park and/or we reserve the right to refuse entry.

18. Special requests

Please note that we will do our best to meet any special requests; however we are unable to guarantee any special requests. Please note special requests do not form part of the booking contract and are not a condition of booking.

19. Use of your holiday home

You are required to take good care of your holiday home whilst you occupy it. At the end of your holiday you must leave your holiday accommodation thoroughly cleaned and tidy and free of all rubbish which must have been placed in the bins on the parks.

We will take legal action to recover the cost of damage sustained during your occupation and any additional cleaning charges we incur in respect of your failure to comply. We reserve the right to enter your accommodation, at any reas onable time during your stay, in order to inspect the condition of the accommodation or without notice in the event of emergency.

The Company does not accept any responsibility for the theft or loss of your personal possessions whilst on our parks or whilst you are in your holiday home and you should take appropriate security measures to ensure against theft and or loss.

20. Availability of facilities

For health and safety reasons some of our facilities have age and/or height restrictions. In our swimming pools, children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult.

At busy times access to facilities may be restricted for health and safety reasons. We may operate session swims in our pools during periods of high demand. Occasionally we need to close or withdraw certain facilities (e.g. for safety, maintenance or other reasons beyond our control).

21. Entertainment

The company will endeavour to provide t he entertainment as advertised in the brochure and on the website, however, at selected parks and during certain periods of the year, entertainment may be limited to weekends only. We reserve the right to alter or withdraw any facilities or programmed entertainment without prior notice.

22. Your car

You should comply with speed limits, parking and other traffic regulations on our parks. All vehicles are brought onto the holiday park at their owner's risk and the Company does not accept responsibility for loss or damage to these except where it is caused by our negligence or fault.

23. Marketing accuracy

Whilst every care is taken to ensure that the details on the website are correct at the time of being published, the photographic images shown are for illustration purposes only and the details may be subject to alteration from one park to another.

The photography within the website is to be used as a guide and some m ight not be of the park itself.

24. TV filming and photography

Due to the increasing popularity of Park Holidays UK holidays, we receive requests from TV and other companies to film or photograph on our parks. We also undertake our own promotional filming and photography.

Every effort is made to ensure filming does not intrude into or affect any holiday activity and that it is clear to guests that filming/photography is taking place. We will not accept responsibility if, contrary to your wishes, you appear on film or in photographs and we are unable to make any financial award or payment of any kind.

25. Caravan and camping

Maximum pitch size on all parks is 6m x 6m including guide ropes/pegs.